This will be my first year with 2 downriggers. Is it better to run each rigger straight back off each stern corner and run lead lines starboard and port or run the riggers out starboard and port and the lead lines stright back off the stern. I always fish with another person aboard so 4 lines are always out. I hope to try stacking this year too.
Also, whats the best way to avoid line tangles besides long sweeping turns, i.e., staggerd line lengths, right turns, left turns, etc.
Thanks!

Starfire:

Hopefully you will get response from more experienced people, but here's my 2 1/4 cents. From my experience, when I run 4 lines I run the riggers off to the port and starboard sides and the lead lines straight off the stern. However, on my boat (Alumucraft that has gunwales along the sides but not across the stern) I needed install my riggers on the port and starboard gunwales (about 1/3 of the boat length forward of the stern for convenience and safety). So its not really an option for me to run the riggers dead astern. If you have a fiberglass or other boat with good 'rigger mounting options right on your stern, its worth getting the opinions of others who have similar installations.

Another thing I've found is that because the angle of the lead lines is so shallow compared to the nearly straight down angle of the riggers, what I do to try and avoid tangles is keep the leadcore rods as far to either side as possible. This begs the question that it might indeed be better to run lead off the sides if your riggers can trail dead astern. No question it is much easier to tangle lead lines than riggers. This year I'm going to try using either no weight or different sizes of small / light trolling/keel sinkers on the lead lines to try and change the angles of the different lead lines to minimize the chance of tangles. No matter what you do, having 2 riggers is going to be great for your fishing.

Eric H.

I run my two downriggers off the stern and the two leadcore rigs off to the sides using "outrigger" rod holders. These drop into the rod holders in the gunwales and let the rods lie parallel to the water's surface and directly out to the side of the boat (right angle to the gunwales). I bought these at Cabela's and they really get the lines away from each other. They work very well on my boat.

I also run the leads off the sides. I use the Big Jon rod holders and put the dr rods straight out. When running boards too, I put those rods at 45 degrees. I keep the downriggers on the inside.

Salty

Hands down riggers off the stern and lead core off the side with or without planner boards. This will give you a better spread and far less tangles. Salmon usually rocket right to the top; if they hit on your lead core and the riggers are running deep usually you can leave them out. If they hit the riggers same thing usually happens. Lakers not so lucky clearing the lines is your best bet for them.

Charlie

Charlie, now that you mention it, I hear ya on the lakers, most of my "clusters" were laker related.

As usual, thanks for all the advice guys!

I run my riggers at a 45 deg angle off the back of the boat and run lead core or fly rods off the sides useing berts rod holders for the core lines and down east for the fly rods.I have had very little problems with tangles running this way If I run my third rigger I run that one behind my main motor off the back.If you use the track system you can put your riggers where ever they work best I will be switching to this system over the next year.Good luck in your Quest.

Erin

I run my riggers at a 45 degree angle off the gunwales close to the stern...my boat won't let me go any further back...if you have ever seen a princecraft then you know why....the lead rods I run straight off of the sides. I haven't had a problem yet.

Link - I think I might try this...could be a solution to what I've been doing and would allow me to run the lead straight out the sides...

Thanks guys, looks like lead off to the sides and riggers straight back or at 45 degrees off the corners...
Come on 4/1...

Starfire -- I'm glad you started this thread as I got the same benefit...I already ordered some new Fishlander rod holders so I can run the lead as far off the sides as I can. Come on springtime...

Amen Eric!